The FA Cup has always been a stage for football’s best stories; the underdogs, the dreamers, the teams who refuse to be defined by budgets or big names. This Sunday is no different as Leafield Athletic and Worcester City, two proudly independent women’s clubs, go head-to-head.
Forget the glamour of the WSL giants. This fixture is about football at its purest. Built from the ground up, powered by passion, and standing tall without the backing of a men’s side, this fixture is a celebration of what can be achieved as independent clubs.
TWO CLUBS, ONE SPIRIT
Independent clubs are unique. With no parent men’s team, no ready-made infrastructure, no safety nets – they’re built on sheer grit, community and shared belief. Worcester City defender Nerea Othick captures it perfectly:
“Being an independent club means we’ve built everything ourselves, and there’s a real sense of pride in that. Everything the club has achieved has come from the players, coaches, and people behind the scenes who believe in what we’re doing.”
Leafield Athletic captain, Colette Bell, nods to the shared journey:
“The fact that we both are independent clubs gives us quite a lot of the same challenges but also means that we celebrate a lot of the same wins.”
These are two sides who know exactly what the other has gone through, now meeting in a competition that celebrates the best of women’s football, and has built its legacy on teams like theirs. Sunday’s game is set to be a fiercely competitive fixture with both teams determined to showcase their strength, passion and identity.
FROM BEHIND CLOSED DOORS TO PUBLIC BROADCASTING
For years, early rounds of the FA Cup were played in relative obscurity, leaving teams without the recognition they deserved. Now, these games are being televised, and that’s the game changer.
Carrie Dunn, founder of the Women’s Independent Club Network is thrilled to see this progress:
“I think it’s terrific that the early rounds are now being televised – it’s a fantastic opportunity for all clubs. I’ve also been heartened by the FA’s promotion of clubs prior to the early rounds, offering interview and feature opportunities to the media.”
For Leafield, that visibility is more than just the headlines. As Colette explains:
“It opens doors. It puts the name of our club in front of people who might never have come across Leafield before, and that can translate into real opportunities.”
It’s easy to see why these matches are so much more than just progression. Performances during the FA Cup are about profile, partnerships, and proving that independent clubs belong on the national stage.
MOMENTS BUILT ON PASSION, FUELLED BY COMMUNITY
Being an independent women’s club comes with its challenges, but it also brings freedom. Worcester City owner Nicole Allison is clear about what makes their model work:
“Everything we achieve is built from the ground up through hard work, smart decisions, and an unbelievable amount of passion from everyone involved. We don’t have the safety net or resources of a parent men’s club, so when we compete, and thrive, in national competitions, it validates everything we’re doing.”
Leafield Athletic coach Tash Tezgel echoes that sentiment, also noting the freedom independence brings:
“One of the biggest positives of being an independent club is the freedom it gives us to shape our own identity. We’re not tied to the structures or expectations which means we can stay true to our values and build a culture that reflects the community around us.”
Independent women’s clubs are grassroots football at its finest, combining hard work, smart decisions, and a whole lot of heart. Both clubs are achieving greats things, but they recognise that the support from fans, sponsors and governing bodies can transform their future.
WHY SUPPORT MATTERS
This fixture sends a powerful message: independent clubs can thrive outside traditional structures. However, passion alone doesn’t pay for travel, facilities, or coaching staff. That’s where support becomes transformative.
Leafield’s Tash explained:
“From the FA, continued investment in grassroots facilities and resources would help us provide the best possible environment for our players to develop. From the community, having people come to games, engage with the club, and feel part of our journey is invaluable. And from sponsors, even modest backing can go a long way in helping us cover essentials like equipment, travel, and coaching support.”
Colette weighed in and said:
“Greater exposure means the chance to attract new sponsors, strengthen existing partnerships, and bring in additional resources that can make a tangible difference on and off the pitch.”
Worcester owner Nicole Allison adds:
“When partners get involved in a meaningful, strategic way, it accelerates everything – from our pathway to our matchday experience to our ability to compete nationally.”
FA Cup prize money can be transformative at this level. Every pound makes a difference, funding travel, equipment, and laying foundations for the next generation. In other words, belief and hard work can carry a club far, but when combined with investment, engagement, and recognition, those dreams become sustainable realities.
BEYOND THE RESULT
Since establishing the Women’s Independent Network, this is the first time two independent teams have clashed in a tie of this magnitude. Carrie Dunn summed it up:
“It’s thrilling. I was delighted when I saw the draw – obviously I’m sad that one will be knocked out, but this occasion will be bigger than that. It’s not just about one match or one result, it’s a celebration of independent clubs and what they have in common and how they can support each other.”
When two independent sides meet in the FA Cup, it highlights the depth and strength of the women’s game. It inspires others to see that opportunity exists for every club willing to put in the effort. And with the right support, those opportunities multiply.
THE FINAL HURDLE
So, whether it’s Leafield or Worcester who march on, the real victory is bigger than the result. It’s proof that independent football is alive, ambitious, and capable of achieving something truly special.
This Sunday isn’t just about progression, it’s about possibility. It’s about showing that success isn’t reserved for those with the biggest budgets, but for those with belief, resilience, and the courage to dream.
And when two independent sides meet in the FA Cup, they carry the hopes of every grassroots player, every volunteer, and every community that has built something from nothing. They remind us that football’s magic lies not only in trophies, but in the journeys that inspire others to believe they can do the same.
That’s the enduring power of the FA Cup: it doesn’t just crown winners, it shines a light on dreamers, and this weekend, Leafield and Worcester are proving that independent clubs belong firmly in that spotlight
